Would you buy a house without knowing anything about it? Probably not. Imagine a couple looking to purchase a home, one of the biggest financial decisions of their life, and having the following conversation at their first meeting with a realtor:
Couple: Hi, we’d like to buy a home. Can you help us?
Realtor: Of course! I know just the place for you! I can start getting the papers drawn up right away.
Couple: Sure, just tell us where to sign.
This conversation is obviously ridiculous and hopefully would never happen! No, the conversation would be closer to this:
Couple: Hi, we’d like to buy a home. Can you help us?
Realtor: Of course! Tell me what you’re looking for in a home?
Couple: Well, we’d like a move-in ready, 4 bedroom and 2 bathroom ranch on a half-acre, preferably south of town, within walking distance of a park for our kids. We enjoy doing things as a family and entertaining so having a big yard and open concept for parties would be ideal. We’d like to spend less than $500,000.
Realtor: Great, I’ll see what looks like a good match and we’ll go take a look.
Nobody would purchase a home without first knowing if the home fits their priorities and desires. But this is often what happens with another big financial decision: investing for retirement or other long-term goals.
Many people follow investment advice and put their money into investments without thinking through and sharing with a financial advisor their goals, priorities, and values! And while most realtors will ask their customers about their ideal home, many financial professionals jump right to suggesting investments without understanding what their clients want or need. How do they know if the investments or plan are a good fit?
The situation can be even worse for DIY investors who often buy and sell based on their emotions without any financial plan at all.
When it comes to planning and investing for your financial goals, the first step needs to be a discovery process. People should identify their unique goals and values. When we meet with clients for the first time, we often start by asking important values-based questions such as:
What is important about money to you?
What are your highest priorities or aspirations in life?
How would YOU answer these questions? You see, financial planning and investing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Everyone has different goals and priorities that need to be understood before a plan can be made. Afterall, you want a financial plan that helps you achieve your goals, not someone else’s and not the advisor’s!
For example, one couple might value giving their children the education they didn’t have, so saving to help pay for college might be a top priority. Another person might be unmarried with no children and want to spend the first part of retirement serving overseas as a self-funded missionary. Another couple might have a special-needs child who they want to ensure is taken care of after they pass away.
You can see that these goals and values are different and will need different approaches when it comes to financial planning and investing.
When you work with a Beacon Wealth advisor, we will take the time to really understand your goals and dreams, your values and priorities to be able to create a plan that is tailor-made for you! Part of the process involves understanding if your investments are aligned with your values too, which is why we specialize in faith-based investing.
If you’d like a financial plan and investments that take into account your unique values and goals, give us a call!
Do you know what Business Practices You Are Supporting through your Current Investments?
Want to learn more about how your faith can impact how you handle your finances?
Call us today! (540) 345-3891